There are approximately 120 players in the football program. The season runs from late August through November. The freshmen play 8 games, the JV and Varsity 8 games plus additional playoff games. The Varsity season concludes with the Thanksgiving game vs. Xavier High School, the oldest sports rivalry in New York City, dating back to 1906. The Varsity plays in the “AA.”

FORDHAM PREP GRIDIRON CLUB MAKES HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN FOOTBALL PROGRAM

The Fordham Prep Gridiron Club, with the support of the players, parents, students, and alumni, has made a substantial donation of 77 new Schutt Vengeance VTD II helmets to the Fordham Prep football program for the 2016 season. According to the Virginia Tech Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk (STAR) evaluation system, the Schutt Vengeance VTD II helmet is one of the most advanced, safest, and highest performing football helmet made to date.

“The Gridiron Club provides all alumni, students, and parents with the means to positively influence the quality of the Prep’s football program, both in the present and in the future,” says Gridiron Club Co-Chairman Kevin Rooney. “Especially for our football alumni, the Gridiron Club provides the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ and give the current players a better chance for success than they might have had when they played for the Prep. We’re all proud to have been part of the Prep football program as players. Thanks to the Gridiron Club, we have a chance to reconnect with and be part of the program again!”

Donn McNamee, the other Gridiron Club Co-Chairman agrees, “Our objectives are simple: (1) bring the students, parents and alumni together to support the current football players; and (2) to strengthen the football program so that it attracts the best student-athletes to the Prep, competes for league championships on all levels, and prepares its players for college - as students, as football players, and as ‘Men for Others’”.

“I speak for all the coaches on the Fordham Prep football staff when I say we are truly grateful to Kevin Rooney, Donn McNamee and the entire Gridiron Club for their generosity & dedication to our football program, but more importantly to their dedication to the safety and welfare of our student-athletes,” says longtime Fordham Prep varsity football coach Peter Gorynski.

Fordham Prep Athletic Director Anthony Kurtin affirms Coach Gorynski’s sentiment: “This unbelievable gesture of kindness from Kevin, Donn and the entire Gridiron Club is incredible. Their donation of 77 top of the line helmets for our student-athletes proves their dedication to the program, but more importantly, is consistent with the Ignatian hallmark of “cura personalis” –care for the entire person and attending to the needs of our student-athletes.”

The Gridiron Club’s donation is another milestone in its revitalization effort and dedication to improving the Fordham Prep football program, both on and off the football field. In addition to the helmets, the Gridiron Club has donated:

Modern weight lifting equipment

New water stations for football team practices

An electronic “eye in the sky” for Coach Gorynski to film weekday practices

Funds to pay for the football program’s off-season weightlifting program

Scholarships for returning players to attend summer football clinics

In all, the Gridiron Club has invested more than $50,000 to support the Prep’s football program over the past three years.

Previously used helmets will be reconditioned and made available for purchase through the Prep Shoppe, adorned with decals commemorating Fordham Prep’s 175th anniversary and the football program’s 130th season.

If you are interested in joining or learning more about the Fordham Prep Gridiron Club, please contact the Gridiron Committee